Clyde workers go all out for charity

Glasgow, United Kingdom: Workers at BAE Systems' yards on the Clyde are digging deep for charity, helping to raise £65,000 just 12 months into a two year fundraising campaign.

The launch of the campaign marked the beginning of a partnership with Erskine, the charity which cares for ex-service men and women in Scotland, as voted by the Company’s employees.

Under the Company’s Charity Challenge initiative, kind-hearted employees have been involved in a variety of fundraising activities including golf tournaments, a dragon boat race and masquerade ball. A number of events have also taken place at sea, with the crew of Type 45 destroyers Diamond and Dragon doing their bit for charity whilst on sea trials.

In addition to raising funds for charity, employees have put in extra effort to build a personal relationship with Erskine, giving their time to a variety of volunteering projects. This has included the maintenance and painting of fences at Erskine homes and facilities across the Glasgow area, and helping to decorate the Erskine Home for Christmas. More activities are being planned for the coming year.

Willie McLachlan, Charity Challenge Coordinator at BAE Systems on the Clyde, said: “The response to the current charity campaign has been overwhelming and I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed. I’m hopeful that we will raise even more money and donate more of our time to good causes over the coming 12 months which will make a real difference to those who are less fortunate. Meeting the people who benefit from our donations, no matter how small or large, makes it all worthwhile.”

Splitting his time between his day job as a Safety, Health and Environmental Advisor and leading the Company's charitable and fundraising activity, Willie has helped to raise over £1.3 million for good causes over the past 30 years. His commitment and service to charity was recognised in this year’s New Year Honours List when he was awarded an MBE.

Founded in 1916, Erskine has provided nursing and medical care for former members of the Armed forces through two world wars and the more recent conflicts and peace keeping initiatives of the twentieth and twenty first centuries.

BAE Systems is committed to contributing and helping the local communities in which it operates, with the Charity Challenge initiative providing valuable support to local charities through company donations as well as engaging employees in fundraising and volunteer activities. During the last campaign, employees at BAE Systems’ Surface Ships business raised a staggering £190,000 for charities across Glasgow and dedicated more than 4,500 man hours to volunteering projects.